IAAF President lauds Kenya’s athletics’ reputation

The IAAF Under 18 World Championships will bring together talents from all over the world

IAAF President Sebastian Coe has hailed the reputation Kenyan athletes have forged on the international scene through the years. While addressing the press ahead of the IAAF-Under 18 world championships, which is set to be officially launched opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Sebastian Coe said Kenyan athletes had a high reputation even before he moulded his career as an athlete.

He expressed his confidence that the country will host a successful World Under-18 Championships as he welcomed the event, and further expressed his delight, “I’m delighted that we are here to celebrate the largest track and field event that has come to the continent of Africa,” he said, adding that they’re not turning their back on youth talent, “It’s a very important part of the bridge to the senior years.”

IAAF President Sebastian Coe during a meeting with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta

Sebastian Coe said talents are always nurtured in such events, “This is an extraordinary opportunity to watch the talent and the champions of the future. It’s through this competition that Usain Bolt, Alyson Felix and other great athletes have emerged,” he said.

The Under 18 world championships is set to bring together different talents from all over the world, with the showpiece ending on Sunday 16th July. On the first day in the morning session, Daniel Kipkemboi won the first heat of the 1500 metres, and George Manang’oi emerged victorious in the second heat.